Ben Swift extended his overall lead in the Settimana Coppi e Bartali stage race in Italy on Thursday after Team Sky won the afternoon’s stage 1b team time trial.

Swift had sprinted to win the opening stage in the morning to take the early race lead.

Sky came home 15 seconds quicker than second-placed Rusvelo, with Cannondale in third at 18 seconds over the 11.2-kilometre course.

Rotherham rider Swift is enjoying a good run of form after placing third at Milan-San Remo on Sunday. His sprint win in the opening stage is his first victory since 2012.

Swift leads Sky team-mates Peter Kennaugh and Dario Cataldo overall in the UCI 2.1-ranked race which concludes on Sunday, March 30.

Ben Swift wins opening stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali

Rotherham sprinter Ben Swift follows podium spot in Milan-San Remo with win in Italian stage race

Ben Swift celebrating podium spot in his first Milan-San Remo

Ben Swift says he felt 'better and better' as the 300km Milan-San Remo progressed, eventually placing third